Head to head: Hawthorn 79 wins, Sydney Swans 64 wins, two draws
Last time: Hawthorn 12.14 (86) d Sydney Swans 11.9 (75), round 11, 2009 at the MCG
MISSING IN ACTION
Hawthorn
Chance Bateman (suspension) - 1 week
Max Bailey (knee) - indefinite
Josh Gibson (hamstring) - 4-6 weeks
Simon Taylor (fractured leg) - indefinite
Sydney Swans
Craig Bolton (achilles) - 6 weeks
Daniel Bradshaw (knee) - 3 weeks
Tadhg Kennelly (knee) - 3 weeks
Ben McGlynn (quad strain) - test
Jarred Moore (ankle) - 1 week
Jake Orreal (back) - indefinite
Mark Seaby (ankle) - 9 weeks
FORM
Hawthorn: LLLWW
Sydney Swans: WWLLL
SUMMARY
Three weeks ago just about no one would give Hawthorn a chance of winning this game. The Swans were up near the top of the ladder and looking almost unstoppable, while the injury-affected Hawks were battling along. Now Hawthorn’s list is almost back to full strength after two wins and the Swans have dropped three on the trot. The Swans are lacking firepower without Daniel Bradshaw up forward and have some other big names out. The Hawks have made a return to the uncompromising physical style of play that was their signature a couple of years ago and plenty of sides in the top eight have reason to look over their shoulder.
PLAYER TO WATCHSam Mitchell has a point to prove after having his leadership called into question over the past couple of weeks. Ever the workhorse, Mitchell will be taking his efforts up another notch to combat the Swans’ hard-nosed midfield.
Josh Kennedy was a surprise departure from the club that is such a part of his family history last season. He was offered more opportunities in Sydney and the Hawks were disappointed to see him go. Pressure will be on him to perform.
QUESTION MARKS
After a couple of weeks under the media spotlight, it seems the Hawks are back in favour with the football world. Have they started their charge?
The Sydney Swans performed better than expected in the opening rounds but have slumped in the past couple of weeks. Could this game be the true barometer of their season?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
On paper the Hawks are a better side and will certainly benefit from the home ground advantage, but the Swans have been the far more united team over the course of the season and will be setting themselves for a big performance on the road. It could go either way but the Swans give more reason for faith while the Hawks have disappointed too often this year.
PREDICTION:
Sydney Swans by 19 points.
Chat with host Luke Holmesby and other fans in the AFL Match Centre on afl.com.au from 12.40pm Sunday or join the conversation on Twitter: #hawksswans
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
